Adjustable collar stay device

ABSTRACT

An adjustable collar stay device, including a body structure including a length extensible portion coupled to a width extensible portion. The length extensible portion includes a sleeve structure disposed about a first track structure, wherein the sleeve structure is configured to translate with respect to the first track structure, thereby extending the length of the length extensible portion. The width extensible portion includes a first body member disposed about a second track structure, wherein the second track structure is configured to translate with respect to the first body member, thereby extending the width of the width extensible portion. The width extensible portion further includes a second body member coupled to the second track structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present patent application/patent claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/556,869 (Travis L. ROSS), filed on Nov. 8, 2011, and entitled “ADJUSTABLE COLLAR STAY,” the contents of which are incorporated in full by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an adjustable collar stay device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an adjustable collar stay device that includes a length extensible portion coupled to a width extensible portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is often desirable to use a collar stay to keep the collar of ones shirt rigid and make sure that is stays down. Such collar stays are disposed within the collar pockets of the collar and typically consist of simple plastic tab structures. Disadvantageously, these collar stays do not always fit snugly within the collar pockets, and fail to accomplish their purpose and are prone to falling out. Accordingly, what are still needed in the art are inexpensive, easily manufacturable collar stays that are adjustable in both length and width.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides an adjustable collar stay device that is selectively disposed in a conventional collar pocket or the like of a shirt, such that the collar remains rigid and stays down. This adjustable collar stay device includes two portions: a first portion that allows the body of the collar stay to be extended in length and a second portion that allows the body of the collar stay to be extended in width, such that a variety of collar pockets or the like may be accommodated. Preferably, these extension sections include a plurality of detents, such that a plurality of discrete lengths and widths are accommodated. The collar stay may be manufactured from any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material, and preferably one that is washable without damaging the collar stay.

In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides an adjustable collar stay device, including a body structure including a length extensible portion coupled to a width extensible portion. The length extensible portion includes a sleeve structure disposed about a first track structure, wherein the sleeve structure is configured to translate with respect to the first track structure, thereby extending the length of the length extensible portion. The first track structure includes a peg structure and the sleeve structure defines a plurality of detent holes along its length configured to receive and retain the peg structure in various degrees of extension of the length extensible portion. The width extensible portion includes a first body member disposed about a second track structure, wherein the second track structure is configured to translate with respect to the first body member, thereby extending the width of the width extensible portion. The second track structure includes a peg structure and the first body member defines a plurality of detent holes along its width configured to receive and retain the peg structure in various degrees of extension of the width extensible portion. The width extensible portion further includes a second body member coupled to the second track structure. The first body member and the second body member include complimentary angled portions that provide the overall width extensible portion with a pointed tip. Optionally, the length extensible portion and the width extensible portion form a unitary structure.

In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an adjustable collar stay device, including providing a body structure including a length extensible portion coupled to a width extensible portion. The length extensible portion includes a sleeve structure disposed about a first track structure, wherein the sleeve structure is configured to translate with respect to the first track structure, thereby extending the length of the length extensible portion. The first track structure includes a peg structure and the sleeve structure defines a plurality of detent holes along its length configured to receive and retain the peg structure in various degrees of extension of the length extensible portion. The width extensible portion includes a first body member disposed about a second track structure, wherein the second track structure is configured to translate with respect to the first body member, thereby extending the width of the width extensible portion. The second track structure includes a peg structure and the first body member defines a plurality of detent holes along its width configured to receive and retain the peg structure in various degrees of extension of the width extensible portion. The width extensible portion further includes a second body member coupled to the second track structure. The first body member and the second body member include complimentary angled portions that provide the overall width extensible portion with a pointed tip. Optionally, the length extensible portion and the width extensible portion form a unitary structure.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a method of using an adjustable collar stay device, including adjusting one or more of a length and a width of a body structure of an adjustable collar stay device including a length extensible portion coupled to a width extensible portion, and disposing the adjustable collar stay device in a collar pocket of a collar of a shirt. The length extensible portion includes a sleeve structure disposed about a first track structure, wherein the sleeve structure is configured to translate with respect to the first track structure, thereby extending the length of the length extensible portion. The first track structure includes a peg structure and the sleeve structure defines a plurality of detent holes along its length configured to receive and retain the peg structure in various degrees of extension of the length extensible portion. The width extensible portion includes a first body member disposed about a second track structure, wherein the second track structure is configured to translate with respect to the first body member, thereby extending the width of the width extensible portion. The second track structure includes a peg structure and the first body member defines a plurality of detent holes along its width configured to receive and retain the peg structure in various degrees of extension of the width extensible portion. The width extensible portion further includes a second body member coupled to the second track structure. The first body member and the second body member include complimentary angled portions that provide the overall width extensible portion with a pointed tip. Optionally, the length extensible portion and the width extensible portion form a unitary structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers are used to denote like device components/method steps, as appropriate, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of the adjustable collar stay device of the present invention in an unexpanded configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of the adjustable collar stay device of the present invention in an expanded configuration;

FIG. 3 is a series of perspective views of one exemplary embodiment of the adjustable collar stay device of the present invention incorporating a magnetic retention piece;

FIG. 4 is a series of planar views of one exemplary embodiment of the adjustable collar stay device of the present invention also incorporating the magnetic retention piece; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of an adjustable collar stay device adjustment tool of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides an adjustable collar stay device 10, including a body structure 12 including a length extensible portion 14 coupled to a width extensible portion 16.

The length extensible portion 14 includes a sleeve structure 18 disposed about a first track structure 20, wherein the sleeve structure 18 is configured to translate with respect to the first track structure 20, thereby extending the length of the length extensible portion 14. The sleeve structure 18 and the first track structure 20 each have a generally rectangular shape and may be made of any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material, such as a metal or a plastic. The sleeve structure 18 and the first track structure 20 each have an overall length on the order of millimeters to centimeters, an overall width on the order of millimeters to centimeters, and an overall thickness on the order of millimeters to centimeters. It should be noted that the sleeve structure 18 may completely or partially encompass the first track structure 20, or the two structures may simply be disposed adjacent to and in physical contact with one another, as by the use of retention tabs on the back of the sleeve structure 18 that retain the first track structure 20.

The first track structure 20 includes a peg structure 22 and the sleeve structure 18 defines a plurality of interconnected detent holes 24 along its length configured to receive and retain the peg structure 22 in various degrees of extension of the length extensible portion 14. Optionally, the peg structure 22 is disposed on a lever arm structure 26 of the first track structure 20, such that the peg structure 22 is disengaged from the detent holes 24 of the sleeve structure 18 by pressing the peg structure 22 down and then sliding the sleeve structure 18 with respect to the first track structure 20, the peg structure 22 snapping back into place when it corresponds to the next detent hole 24.

The width extensible portion 16 includes a first body member 28 disposed about a second track structure 30, wherein the second track structure 30 is configured to translate with respect to the first body member 28, thereby extending the width of the width extensible portion 16. The first body member 28 and the second track structure 30 each have a generally rectangular shape and may be made of any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material, such as a metal or a plastic. The first body member 28 and the second track structure 30 each have an overall length on the order of millimeters to centimeters, an overall width on the order of millimeters to centimeters, and an overall thickness on the order of millimeters to centimeters. It should be noted that the first body member 28 may completely or partially encompass the second track structure 30, or the two structures may simply be disposed adjacent to and in physical contact with one another, as by the use of retention tabs on the back of the first body member 28 that retain the second track structure 30.

The second track structure 30 includes a peg structure 32 and the first body member 28 defines a plurality of interconnected detent holes 34 along its width configured to receive and retain the peg structure 32 in various degrees of extension of the width extensible portion 16. Optionally, the peg structure 32 is disposed on a lever arm structure 36 of the first second track structure 30, such that the peg structure 32 is disengaged from the detent holes 34 of the first body member 28 by pressing the peg structure 32 down and then sliding the second track structure 30 with respect to the first body member 28, the peg structure 32 snapping back into place when it corresponds to the next detent hole 34.

The width extensible portion 16 further includes a second body member 38 coupled to the second track structure 30.

The first body member 28 and the second body member 38 include complimentary angled portions 40 and 42, respectively, that provide the overall width extensible portion 16 with a pointed tip 44.

Optionally, the length extensible portion 14 and the width extensible portion 16 form a unitary structure.

FIG. 3 is a series of perspective views of one exemplary embodiment of the adjustable collar stay device 10 of the present invention incorporating a magnetic retention piece 50. FIG. 4 is a series of planar views of one exemplary embodiment of the adjustable collar stay device 10 of the present invention also incorporating the magnetic retention piece 50.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of an adjustable collar stay device adjustment tool 60 of the present invention.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform like functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable collar stay device, comprising: a body structure comprising a length extensible portion coupled to a width extensible portion.
 2. The adjustable collar stay device of claim 1, wherein the length extensible portion comprises a sleeve structure disposed about a first track structure, wherein the sleeve structure is configured to translate with respect to the first track structure, thereby extending the length of the length extensible portion.
 3. The adjustable collar stay device of claim 2, wherein the first track structure comprises a peg structure and the sleeve structure defines a plurality of detent holes along its length configured to receive and retain the peg structure in various degrees of extension of the length extensible portion.
 4. The adjustable collar stay device of claim 1, wherein the width extensible portion comprises a first body member disposed about a second track structure, wherein the second track structure is configured to translate with respect to the first body member, thereby extending the width of the width extensible portion.
 5. The adjustable collar stay device of claim 4, wherein the second track structure comprises a peg structure and the first body member defines a plurality of detent holes along its width configured to receive and retain the peg structure in various degrees of extension of the width extensible portion.
 6. The adjustable collar stay device of claim 4, wherein the width extensible portion further comprises a second body member coupled to the second track structure.
 7. The adjustable collar stay device of claim 6, wherein the first body member and the second body member comprise complimentary angled portions that provide the overall width extensible portion with a pointed tip.
 8. The adjustable collar stay device of claim 1, wherein the length extensible portion and the width extensible portion comprise a unitary structure.
 9. A method for manufacturing an adjustable collar stay device, comprising: providing a body structure comprising a length extensible portion coupled to a width extensible portion.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the length extensible portion comprises a sleeve structure disposed about a first track structure, wherein the sleeve structure is configured to translate with respect to the first track structure, thereby extending the length of the length extensible portion.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first track structure comprises a peg structure and the sleeve structure defines a plurality of detent holes along its length configured to receive and retain the peg structure in various degrees of extension of the length extensible portion.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the width extensible portion comprises a first body member disposed about a second track structure, wherein the second track structure is configured to translate with respect to the first body member, thereby extending the width of the width extensible portion.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second track structure comprises a peg structure and the first body member defines a plurality of detent holes along its width configured to receive and retain the peg structure in various degrees of extension of the width extensible portion.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the width extensible portion further comprises a second body member coupled to the second track structure.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first body member and the second body member comprise complimentary angled portions that provide the overall width extensible portion with a pointed tip.
 16. The method of claim 9, wherein the length extensible portion and the width extensible portion comprise a unitary structure.
 17. A method of using an adjustable collar stay device, comprising: adjusting one or more of a length and a width of a body structure of an adjustable collar stay device comprising a length extensible portion coupled to a width extensible portion; and disposing the adjustable collar stay device in a collar pocket of a collar of a shirt.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the length extensible portion comprises a sleeve structure disposed about a first track structure, wherein the sleeve structure is configured to translate with respect to the first track structure, thereby extending the length of the length extensible portion, and wherein the first track structure comprises a peg structure and the sleeve structure defines a plurality of detent holes along its length configured to receive and retain the peg structure in various degrees of extension of the length extensible portion.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the width extensible portion comprises a first body member disposed about a second track structure, wherein the second track structure is configured to translate with respect to the first body member, thereby extending the width of the width extensible portion, and wherein the second track structure comprises a peg structure and the first body member defines a plurality of detent holes along its width configured to receive and retain the peg structure in various degrees of extension of the width extensible portion.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the width extensible portion further comprises a second body member coupled to the second track structure, and wherein the first body member and the second body member comprise complimentary angled portions that provide the overall width extensible portion with a pointed tip. 